biostudies-literatureZhang YNational Institutes of HealthNIAMS NIH HHS549-59https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4822413biostudies-literatureUnknown31(3)WNT/β-CATENIN signaling is involved in multiple aspects of skeletal development, including chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. Although the functions of β-CATENIN in chondrocytes have been extensively investigated through gain-of-function and loss-of-function mouse models, the precise downstream effectors through which β-CATENIN regulates these processes are not well defined. Here, we report that the matricellular protein, CCN1, is induced by WNT/β-CATENIN signaling in chondrocytes. Specifically, we found that β-CATENIN signaling promotes CCN1 expression in isolated primary sternal chondrocytes and both embryonic and postnatal cartilage. Additionally, we show that, in vitro, CCN1 overexpression promotes chondrocyte maturation, whereas inhibition of endogenous CCN1 function inhibitsJournal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral ResearchCCN1 Regulates Chondrocyte Maturation and Cartilage Development.PMC4822413R01 AR057022R01 AR038945P50 AR054041R01 AR063071R01 AR053717P30 AR061307P30 AR061307Sheu TJHoak DShen JJonason JHZhang YHilton MJZuscik MJO'Keefe RJfalseCCN1 Regulates Chondrocyte Maturation and Cartilage Development.WNT/β-CATENIN signaling is involved in multiple aspects of skeletal development, including chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. Although the functions of β-CATENIN in chondrocytes have been extensively investigated through gain-of-function and loss-of-function mouse models, the precise downstream effectors through which β-CATENIN regulates these processes are not well defined. Here, we report that the matricellular protein, CCN1, is induced by WNT/β-CATENIN signaling in chondrocytes. Specifically, we found that β-CATENIN signaling promotes CCN1 expression in isolated primary sternal chondrocytes and both embryonic and postnatal cartilage. Additionally, we show that, in vitro, CCN1 overexpression promotes chondrocyte maturation, whereas inhibition of endogenous CCN1 function inhibits2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Mar2025-04-04T23:49:34.937Z2019-03-27T03:11:19ZS-EPMC48224132636328610.1002/jbmr.2712